How LaNorris Sellers' freshman campaign stacks up with South Carolina quarterback legends

Arguably the most talked-about player in college football the past month wears garnet and black. South Carolina redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers has been as much a part of the national discussion as Heisman hopefuls like Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty, and Cam Ward.

Sellers’ strong second half of the season—highlighted by an undefeated record and…well…a lot of highlight-worthy plays—has vaulted No. 16 into next year’s Heisman Trophy race already. He also is a big reason why the Gamecocks won’t be overlooked this offseason.

In the month of November (five games against Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Missouri, Wofford, and Clemson), Sellers broke the South Carolina football single-month record for touchdowns with 16, averaged a little under 350 yards of offense per game, and, most importantly, went undefeated as he led the Gamecocks into the thick of the College Football Playoff discussion.

But how does Sellers’ 2024 season stack up statistically to the legendary USC quarterbacks who came before him? Let’s take a look at some of the greatest careers and/or single seasons in Gamecock history and compare them to Sellers.

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LaNorris Sellers

LaNorris Sellers’ first year as a starter was remarkable, especially considering the improvement he showed throughout the fall. On the season:

Passing Yards: 2274
Passing Yards Average: 189.5 yards per game
Passing Touchdowns: 17
Interceptions: 7
Completion Percentage: 64.9%
Rushing Yards: 655 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 7
Rushing Average: 4.2 yards per carry
Team Record: 9-3*

*The Gamecocks still have a bowl game left to play in 2024. LaNorris Sellers also started just 11 of 12 regular season games and missed one half of another contest

Connor Shaw

Considered by many to be the GOAT, Connor Shaw had a great career in garnet and black that included an undefeated record at home. Here are the numbers:

First Year Starting (2011)

Passing Yards: 1448 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 14
Passing Yards Average: 144.8 yards per game
Interceptions: 6
Completion Percentage: 65.4%
Rushing Yards: 525 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 8
Rushing Average: 3.9 yards per carry
Team Record: 11-2*

*In 2011, Connor Shaw played in 10 games but started in just eight.

Best Year Starting (2013)

Passing Yards: 2447 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 24
Passing Yards Average: 188.2 yards per game
Interceptions: 1
Completion Percentage: 63.4%
Rushing Yards: 558 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 6
Rushing Average: 3.6 yards per carry
Team Record: 11-2

Steve Taneyhill

A quarterback whose play on the field was only bested by his larger-than-life personality off of it, Steve Taneyhill is an all-time great. Below are his statistics:

First Year Starting (1992)

Passing Yards: 1272 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 7
Passing Yards Average: 141.3 yards per game
Interceptions: 6
Completion Percentage: 53.1%
Rushing Yards: -95 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 0
Rushing Average: -2.3 yards per carry
Team Record: 5-6*

*In 1992, Steve Taneyhill played in nine games but started just six.

Best Year Starting (1995)

Passing Yards: 3094 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 29
Passing Yards Average: 281.3 yards per game
Interceptions: 9
Completion Percentage: 67.1%
Rushing Yards: -38 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 0
Rushing Average: -0.6 yards per carry
Team Record: 4-6-1

Todd Ellis

The owner of several career passing records for the Gamecocks, Todd Ellis played in the run-and-shoot offense in Columbia. Here’s what the stats say:

First Year Starting and Best Year Starting (1986)

Passing Yards: 3020 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 20
Passing Yards Average: 274.5 yards per game
Interceptions: 22
Completion Percentage: 60.3%
Rushing Yards: -45 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 3
Rushing Average: -0.5 yards per carry
Team Record: 3-6-2

Anthony Wright

Anthony Wright is one of the most gifted quarterbacks to come through Columbia. He didn’t always have the best offense around him, though. His numbers reflected that:

First Year Starting (1996)

Passing Yards: 1850 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 8
Passing Yards Average: 168.2 yards per game
Interceptions: 6
Completion Percentage: 53.7%
Rushing Yards: 90 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 3
Rushing Average: 0.9 yards per carry
Team Record: 6-5

Best Year Starting (1997)

Passing Yards: 1685 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 18
Passing Yards Average: 187.2 yards per game
Interceptions: 5
Completion Percentage: 55.2%
Rushing Yards: 44 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 1
Rushing Average: 0.6 yards per carry
Team Record: 5-6*

*Anthony Wright played in and started just nine games in 1997.

Stephen Garcia

A one-of-a-kind player and personality, Stephen Garcia led South Carolina football to its only SEC East championship. He also gave Steve Spurrier a lot of gray hair along the way. His numbers are below:

First Year Starting (2009)

Passing Yards: 2862 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 17
Passing Yards Average: 220.2 yards per game
Interceptions: 10
Completion Percentage: 55.3%
Rushing Yards: 186 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 4
Rushing Average: 1.6 yards per carry
Team Record: 7-6

Best Year Starting (2010)

Passing Yards: 3059 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 20
Passing Yards Average: 218.5 yards per game
Interceptions: 14
Completion Percentage: 64.2%
Rushing Yards: 222 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 6
Rushing Average: 2.1 yards per carry
Team Record: 9-5*

*South Carolina won the SEC East in 2010.

Dylan Thompson

Dylan Thompson waited behind Connor Shaw for years but saw enough action to let the fanbase know he was ready to start ahead of 2014. He didn’t disappoint with one of the best single-season performances in Carolina history. Those stats are listed below:

First Year Starting and Best Year Starting (2014)

Passing Yards: 3574 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 26
Passing Yards Average: 274.9 yards per game
Interceptions: 11
Completion Percentage: 59.9%
Rushing Yards: -72 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 4
Rushing Average: -1.1 yards per carry
Team Record: 7-6

Jeff Grantz

A run-first option at times during his career, Jeff Grantz is underrated as a quarterback in Gamecock lore. You can see his stats below:

First Year Starting (1973)

Passing Yards: 864 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 6
Passing Yards Average: 78.5 yards per game
Interceptions: 4
Completion Percentage: 51.2%
Rushing Yards: 806 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 9
Rushing Average: 5.1 yards per carry
Team Record: 7-4*

*South Carolina did not play in a bowl despite seven wins in 1973. The Gamecocks also primarily ran the option.

Best Year Starting (1975)

Passing Yards: 1587 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 16
Passing Yards Average: 144.3 yards per game
Interceptions: 11
Completion Percentage: 54.5%
Rushing Yards: 485 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 12
Rushing Average: 3.6 yards per carry
Team Record: 7-5*

*Back in 1975, bowl game statistics did not count.

Tommy Suggs

Tommy Suggs is the only man ever to lead South Carolina football to a conference championship, winning the ACC in 1969. His statistical resume is below:

First Year Starting (1968)

Passing Yards: 1544 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 13
Passing Yards Average: 154.4 yards per game
Interceptions: 12
Completion Percentage: 53.1%
Rushing Yards: 114 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 3
Rushing Average: 1.6 yards per carry
Team Record: 4-6

Best Year Starting (1969)

Passing Yards: 1244 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 7
Passing Yards Average: 124.4 yards per game
Interceptions: 10
Completion Percentage: 55.9%
Rushing Yards: 93 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 1
Rushing Average: 1.5 yards per carry
Team Record: 7-4*

*South Carolina won the ACC in 1969. Back in 1969, bowl game statistics did not count.

Spencer Rattler

Perhaps the most talented arm to ever play in Columbia, Spencer Rattler had just two years in garnet and black but made them count. You can view his box score achievements here:

First Year Starting (2022)

Passing Yards: 3026 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 18
Passing Yards Average: 232.8 yards per game
Interceptions: 12
Completion Percentage: 66.2%
Rushing Yards: 46 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 3
Rushing Average: 0.6 yards per carry
Team Record: 8-5

Best Year Starting (2023)

Passing Yards: 3186 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 19
Passing Yards Average: 265.5 yards per game
Interceptions: 8
Completion Percentage: 68.9%
Rushing Yards: 104 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 4
Rushing Average: 1.1 yards per carry
Team Record: 5-7

Phil Petty

One of the very best leaders in Gamecock quarterback history, Phil Petty didn’t always light up the box score, but he won. His stats are listed below:

First Year Starting (2000)

Passing Yards: 2110 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 7
Passing Yards Average: 191.8 yards per game
Interceptions: 9
Completion Percentage: 54.4%
Rushing Yards: 36 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 0
Rushing Average: 0.7 yards per carry
Team Record: 8-4*

*Phil Petty got extensive action and even some starts in 1998 and 1999, but 2000 was his first year as a full-time starter.

Best Year Starting (2001)

Passing Yards: 1699 yards
Passing Touchdowns: 10
Passing Yards Average: 154.5 yards per game
Interceptions: 7
Completion Percentage: 57.8%
Rushing Yards: 234 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 3
Rushing Average: 13.1 yards per carry
Team Record: 9-3

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